● The Kitakyushu International Association (KIA)

● Kitakyushu Profile: Yoshihiro Takahara, Director of KIA

● Kitakyushu Welcomes Delegates for G7 Energy Ministerial Meeting

● Phnom Penh - Kitakyushu’s New Sister City!

● Dalian International Walking Festival 2016

● Cruise Tourism and the Port of Kitakyushu

● Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Kitakyushu Airport

“My First International Exchange”

The Yahatanpics!

What’s New KitaQ?

“OshaberiJapanese Speaking

Contest”

Vol.46

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KITAKYUSHU

Vol.46

What is the Kitakyushu International Association? Established in 1990, the Kitakyushu International Association (KIA) was set up with three main goals: (1) to promote the creation of a multicultural society within Kitakyushu and the surrounding areas; (2) to encouraging participation in multicultural activities by citizens; and (3) to further intercultural understanding and goodwill. Celebrating its 25th anniversary last year, KIA has come a long way in achieving its aims and hopes to further progress on the road to realizing these goals through the continued execution of a wide variety of projects within the city.

Promoting International Understanding One of KIA’s primary goals is to encourage town planning from a multicultural perspective by promoting international understanding within the city. Every two months, KIA holds the event “My Country in English”, welcoming foreign residents of Kitakyushu as guest speakers. Bringing in audiences of up to 75 local people, the event has covered a broad spectrum of countries ranging from the UK, India, Finland and Singapore to Peru, France, Ireland and Russia. In addition to events like this aimed at promoting intercultural understanding, KIA also carries out projects such as Hajimete no kokusai koryu a.k.a “My First International Exchange” - providing citizens who may never have had the chance to even ever talk with a person from another country to get the chance to do so. Other events such as “Mom’s Home Cooking - Dishes of the World” provide a stage for foreign residents to cook up delicacies from their home nations, giving a Japanese audience the chance to taste the pride of their home countries’ homemade cuisine. Whilst these events cater more to a mature audience, KIA also has its eyes set on opening up the younger generations’ eyes to the world outside Japan. Events such as “ENJOY English” and “Experience Native English” aim to expose children to the idea of a multicultural society from an early age through simple games, songs and the

medium of dance, all carried out in English. Even those who cannot make it to the International Association itself have no excuse, as KIA dispatches its very own Coordinator of International Relations (CIR) for free to schools and community centers around the city, carrying out a variety of lectures and events about their home country in both English and Japanese.

Creating Bonds within the Community Whilst the promotion of cultural understanding in this way is a key part of KIA’s philosophy, this alone is insufficient in fulfilling the association’s goals. Aiming to achieve a result that exceeds superficial international understanding, KIA has a variety of programs focused on building strong interpersonal bonds between foreign residents and Japanese citizens in the community. One such example is the NikoNiko Family Home Visit Program. Japanese families are carefully matched with exchange students from local universities, providing the students with a support network during their time in Japan and the families with a chance to welcome students from different cultures to their homes. The services provided to exchange students also include the provision of free used bicycles to students who have newly arrived in the city, as well as a scholarship program for Chinese students from Dalian, one of Kitakyushu’s sister cities. However, the support provided by KIA is not merely limited to exchange students alone. Involved in the promotion of over twenty volunteer Japanese classrooms run by volunteers around the city, these classrooms offer foreign residents the opportunity to learn Japanese from local residents for free or at a very low cost. Students attending these classes come from various walks of life, from housewives to technical exchange students; the classes provide these individuals who often have no community for support in Japan, access to the learning and interaction they require to get by in everyday life. One of the classrooms run by KIA itself, the “Japanese Classroom for Moms and Dads”, provides low-cost daycare facilities for parents who may struggle to

Faced with a declining population and the ever increasing burden of an ageing populus, Japan is faced with a labor shortage crisis. With Japan’s population said to shrink to two thirds of its current size by 2060, immigration has become a hot topic as a potential solution to this issue. However, in its current state, is Japan really capable of handling an influx of foreign residents? Is it really able to provide them with the support and services they require in everyday life? Looking to provide a smoother transition to life in Japan for foreign residents, the Kitakyushu International Association is at the forefront of internationalization, providing the building blocks necessary to create the foundations for a harmonious multicultural society.

The Kitakyushu International Association - Building the Foundations for a Multicultural Society

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find the time to learn Japanese due to childcare duties, whilst also providing them with useful information and phrases in Japanese that may provide particularly helpful in raising their children here in Kitakyushu. Once a year all the volunteer classes come together to put on the “Oshaberi Japanese Speaking Contest”. Open to all with no restrictions on Japanese level and the freedom to choose any topic, this event provides foreign residents with a wonderful opportunity to show off the fruits of their study and express themselves to an audience of over three hundred local citizens. Of course, they also have a chance at winning some fantastic prizes too!

Making Information Accessible to All A complex language made up of three different writing systems, whilst many foreign residents reach a high level of spoken Japanese, many still find themselves struggling when it comes to the written word. This is where KIA’s information provision services come in. The international association publishes its very own mail magazine every month in English, Chinese, Korean and simple Japanese (yasashii Nihongo). The mail magazine provides information on everything, ranging from local events and sports to deadlines for school applications and information on the new MyNumber system. The monthly Tanoshimail e-mail magazine provides the in te rna t ional communi ty access to a p le thora of information, much of which would be difficult to get ones hands on without mastery of the Japanese language. Thus, in this way, KIA is able to offer foreign residents better access to the same information and opportunities available to Japanese residents - further diffusing this information on social media including the KIA official Facebook page to reach a wider audience.

Consultations and Interpreter Dispatch However, information alone is no good without the means to act upon it. Offering foreigner consultation service, administrative interpretation and medical interpretation services, KIA aims to provide foreign residents with access to the same levels of care and support as Japanese residents. Staff members with a high level of expertise take consultations in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese on a variety of issues ranging from tax, residence status, health insurance and unemployment to divorce, domestic violence, childcare and much more. KIA’s professional consultants provide clients with the necessary information and knowledge of the language they need to carry out administrative procedures and find solutions to the many issues they may face in their everyday lives. Furthermore, through the dispatch of local residents trained as administrative interpreters and medical interpreters for various different languages, KIA is able to

expand its aid beyond what is achievable by staff alone. Moreover, for more complicated cases that may require legal intervention, KIA provides free legal consultations with interpreters present, ensuring there is no problem too big for KIA to lend a hand.

Preparing for the Worst Whilst the crux of KIA’s activities fall upon these various initiatives, they all have one underlying cause; the creation of a community for information exchange in the event of a disaster. In the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes, it cannot be denied that the potential for natural disaster exists everywhere in Japan. What to do in a disaster, where to go, what to take, what to prepare. The answers to these questions may be difficult to come up with even for many Japanese citizens. This is why it is so important that this information is provided to foreign residents in an easy to understand way, and why it is even more important that communities are built so an intercultural community can work together and help each other out during a disaster. KIA acts as a catalyst to expedite the formation of these communities, as well as a central organization capable of providing disaster information for those with no community to rely on.

Looking Forward to the Future As Japan starts to see more tourists visiting from abroad and with the potential for a wider welcoming of immigration and the loosening of regulations in the future, organizations such as KIA provide hope that Japan can provide the facilities and support necessary for those who choose to immigrate to Japan. KIA will continue to work together with the city to further its efforts towards the development of a multicultural society and hopes to welcome the globalization of Japan with arms wide open.

Kitakyushu International Association (KIA)ComCity (3F) Kurosaki 3-15-3, Yahatanishi ward, KitakyushuHours: 10:00 a.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. (Tues. ~ Sun.)Closed: Every MondayTEL: 093-643-6464

QR code fordirect access to KIA homepage!

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KITAKYUSHU

Vol.46

Director

Kitakyushu International Association (KIA)

Yoshihiro Takahara

1. What are the aims of the Kitakyushu International Association?

The Kitakyushu International Association (KIA) aims to provide the building blocks for the development of a harmonious multicultural society here in Kitakyushu.KIA has set itself three missions in order to fulfil this goal. 1) Providing suppor t to foreign residents in the

community, to ensure they can get used to life in Japan as soon as possible and are able to play an active role in society.

2) Acting as a central base of support in coordinating with local government and non-governmental organizations, to create and develop a network for the promoting multiculturalism that encompasses civilian groups, corporations, universities, local government and other organizations.

3) The training of talented individuals capable of supporting a multicultural society.

2. What do you think is most important in establishing a multicultural society?

Foreign residents in Japan face three main hurdles. 1) The ‘language bar r ier’, i .e. the inabi l it y to

communicate and get the information they need.2) The ‘system barrier’ i.e. limitations place on them

because of their residence status and nationality. 3) T he ‘cu l t u r a l u nde r s t a nd i ng ba r r ie r ’ i .e .

discrimination they may face and/or a sense of alienation they may feel based on appearance or stereotypes.

It is important for us to deal with these barriers. During time of disaster in the past, many foreign residents were unable to obtain information in their own languages and due to cultural differences found that even when they were able to find support, it was not appropriate for their needs. There has and will continue to be a greater diversif icat ion in the nationalities of foreign residents and the languages they speak in Japan. In addition to the provision of information in multiple languages, it is also very important for us to put out information in simple Japanese (yasashi nihongo), which it is said many are able to gain an understanding of after around six months to a year in the country. Furthermore, I think a lot of weight lies on Japanese citizens opening up to this kind of society. Therefore, it is important we promote multicultural understanding by giving citizens more chances to interact with foreign residents.

3. In what areas do you think foreigners living in Japan need the most support?

For most foreigners coming to Japan, they find support from the company they are working for, or the university they are attending. However, there are many who lack this kind of support. For example, spouses and family members who have been called over to Japan, and people who, due to various circumstances, have started living in Japan whether they like it or not. In particular, foreign mothers who are unable to freely leave the house due to pregnancy or child care duties and do not have the opportunity to receive a sufficient education in Japanese. People like this and children who have suddenly been flown over to live in Japan are the people who require our support the most.

4. What is the Kitakyushu International Association’s greatest achievement?

In 2011, we started a Japanese class with a nursery service aimed at moms and dads from overseas. The class has been very popular with parents of foreign descent. There are around twenty different volunteer Japanese classes within the city that foreign residents attend; they are an indispensable in supporting the region’s shift towards a multicultural society. Furthermore, in 2012 with the cooperation of medical institutions, local government and non-governmental organizations, we put a system in place for the training and dispatch of volunteer interpreters to help cross the language barrier at hospitals and government facilities.

5. What i s s ues does the K i t a k yushu International Association face?

Unlike other economically advanced nations, Japan lacks a fully-fledged policy for immigration. There is no basic law for the intake of foreign residents that could form the base to promote an integrated society. Therefore, it is hard to secure funding to pursue these initiatives for the promotion of a multicultural society and finding a sustainable source of funding is one of the biggest challenges KIA faces.

6. What are your hopes for the Kitakyushu International Association?

In order to build a multicultural society, more so than anything the cooperation of citizens is necessary. I think it is important for us to get involved with the foreign community and work together with key persons within that community. I hope that in particular many of the young people who take part in the programs we offer will go on to further promote these values and support the community.

7. Do you have a message for our readers? When bidding for the Tokyo Olympics, the idea of “omotenashi” - Japanese hospitality, was put forward in the committees appeal. However, I think we need to go a step further than just “hospitality”. I envisage a society where we welcome guests to the country as our neighbors, laughing together, struggling together, cheering each other on and supporting each other. A community where foreign residents and Japanese residents work together in sustaining the local community. Kitakyushu is famous for its work in the environmental and industrial fields. However, it is also a place blessed with many wonderful sights such as the Kawaichi Wisteria Gardens, and the number of tourists visiting the city is on the rise. I hope the readers of BRIDGES get the chance to visit Kitakyushu and get to know the people of our city. There is also plenty of delicious food to enjoy as well!

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The G7 Kitakyushu Energy Ministerial Meeting - Bringing Energy to the City

On the 1s t and 2n d of May 2016, the G7 Energy Ministerial Meeting was held in Kitakyushu as one of ten ministerial meetings held in conjunction with the Ise-Shima Summit. Ministers and delegates from G7 countries, the EU, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) were all present for the proceedings. The grand theme of the meeting was “Energy Security for Global Growth”. Ministers delved into deep discuss ions on topics inc luding energy investment for global growth, energy security and energy sustainability. The meeting culminated in a joint statement, presenting the Kitakyushu Initiative on Energy Security for Global Growth.

Delegates from each country and organization, along with guests from the surrounding areas and the leaders of other related groups were all invited to the welcome reception. The reception put on a lavish display, with the hall itself decorated in Kokura-ori textile fabric, a striped style of material designed in Kitakyushu said to capture the essence of Japanese refinement. A variety of locally sourced food and alcohol was offered to guests, providing them with a warm welcome to the city. The highlights of the reception included a kimono show put on by KIMONO PROJECT, where beautiful models sported specially tailored kimonos designed to incorporate the distinctive characteristics of each nation, as well as an array of musical performances including an incredible string ensemble performance with musicians using Japanese instruments such as the shakuhachi (Japanese flute) and koto (Japanese zither). F u r t h e r m o r e , r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e ‘K i t akyushu You th Ene rgy Summi t ’ , whe re elementary, junior high and senior high school students conducted research into and discussed what they could do to make effective use of energy in order to conserve the environment, put forward a report of their findings to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Motoo Hayashi. Once the reception came to a close, the celebrations continued on to the Industry Club of West Japan, a venue well known as a nationally designated important cultural property. Here, guests were greeted with a tea ceremony performed by the Urasenke Tankokai Tea Ceremony Association.

On May 2nd, the final day of the meeting, the delegations were invited to join a tour to explore the sites of Kitakyushu. First, delegates visited the historic symbol of Kitakyushu, Kokura Castle, before venturing on to the Higashida area of Yahatahigashi ward - an area hosting demonstration projects for advanced smart community technology, and projects using hydrogen as an energy source. The day ended with a visit to the facilities of Yaskawa Electric Corporation, a company known for its pioneering efforts in the robotics technology sector. In Higashida, participants on the tour were given the chance to get a look at the backbone of Kitakyushu Smart Community Creation Project, with a firsthand look at electricity saving facilities run on a unique Community Energy Management System (CEMS). Those present got the chance to take a test ride in fuel cell vehicles within the area, after which they were given a demonstration of the V2H (Vehicle to Home) energy provision system, a system allowing for energy from a car’s fuel cells to be channeled into one’s home’s electricity supply during power outages.

Finally, at the headquarters of Yaskawa Electric Corporation, a company renowned as the largest producer of industrial robots in the world, delegates had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the company’s state of the art robots in action on the facilities factory floor, and as well as a chance to interact with them direct ly at the YASKAWA Innovation Center. The meeting was a resounding success and the city hopes to welcome back guests from the various G7 countries and organizations in the future, showing them more of what Kitakyushu has to offer.

Test ride on the fuel cell vehicle

Tea Ceremony following the Welcome Reception

Heads of Delegations

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International Walking Festival in Dalian, China! On May 22nd, Kitakyushu participated in the first walking event in Dalian - a friendship city in Liaoning Province, China. It was held in conjunction with the 27th Dalian Acacia Flower Festival & Northeast Asia International Tourism Culture Week. The team from Kitakyushu was comprised of 10 members including employees from the city’s Asian Affairs Division: Ms. Tsuchiya and Ms. Han, Kitakyushu’s very own Coordinator for International Relations hailing from Dalian. There were many teams from other cities in Japan including Kyoto, Tohoku, Saga, Hiroshima, and Tokyo. The event was sponsored by the Sino-Japanese Friendship Association in order to promote friendly relations between Japan and China. Setting off from the promenade of Banchuidao Island, walkers were welcomed with crisp weather and a cool breeze as they ambled down the promenade, and area blessed with natural beauty and the sweet scent of acacia flowers. About 350 people participated in the event, walking alongside Chinese high school student volunteers who held up flags and placards of each participating Japanese city. The Japanese participants were presented with original

caps and bandanas from the sponsoring organization, and Japanese songs were played from the speakers along the promenade during the event. Mr. Yu Jian Jun, chairman of the Sino-Japanese Friendship Association also expressed his appreciation to the Japanese participants. During their stay, the group visited other places, including the Lushun Museum in Ryojun and the Dalian Martial Arts Culture Museum. The Dalian Walking Festival provided Chinese and Japanese participants with an opportunity to deepen and solidify their understanding and appreciation of each other. The walking tour provided to be fruitful exchange with the citizens of Dalian!

Since the establishment of the city’s first sister city relationships with Tacoma, Washington and Norfolk, Virginia in the US in 1959, Kitakyushu has gone on to become sister (friendship) cities with Dalian, China (1979), Incheon, Korea (1988), and Haiphong, Vietnam (2014) as well. On March 29th, Kitakyushu established a sister city relationship with Phnom Penh Capital City, Cambodia. The cooperative relationship of Cambodia and Kitakyushu began in 1999, where the concern of landmine removal was still a timely issue. The relationship further developed when Kitakyushu began conducting activities in Phnom Penh in the fields of water and sewerage as part of international cooperative efforts. The quality of tap water that was once unsuitable to drink was drastically improved; the restriction on water distribution hours was abolished and the system was enhanced so that taps could be used 24 hours. Non-revenue water (NRW) is the percentage of water that does not reach users due to either leakage or theft from water purification plants. While the recorded percentage of NRW was over 70% in 1993, subsequent to Kitakyushu’s involvement in water-technical cooperation, the rate was successfully reduced down to less than 10%. This series of successful outcomes was dubbed “the miracle of Phnom Penh”. These activities were highly esteemed and in July last year, Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia paid a visit to Kitakyushu for the first time. It was during this visit where a sister city relationship exchange was proposed, and following the subsequent series of negotiations, it was decided that the establishment of a sister city relationship should be agreed upon. The Cambodian delegation led by the Governor of Phnom Penh visited Kitakyushu for the signing ceremony. H.E. Ms. Chea Kimtha, Ambassador of Cambodia to Japan was also present for the proceedings, along with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan. The sister city agreement was signed by Governor Socheatvong of Phnom Penh and Mayor Kitahashi. Phnom Penh has become Kitakyushu’s sixth sister city and the first capital city for Kitakyushu to become sister cities with. Kitakyushu is the first of Japan’s twenty government ordinance-designated cities to establish a sister city relationship with a Cambodian city.

Sister City Agreement with Phnom Penh, Cambodia

KITAKYUSHU

Vol.46

(from left): Ambassador Chea Kimtha, Governor Pa Socheatvong, Mayor Kenji Kitahashi, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Masakazu Hamachi

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Cruise Tourism and the Port of Kitakyushu In an effort to attract cruise ships to the Port of Kitakyushu, the city has been conducting a variety of activities, including liaising with cruise lines and travel agencies; attending both domestic and international cruise conventions; and also hosting its own series of seminars. As a result of these activities, many vessels have been visiting the port each year. On May 15th, Le Soleal, a French cruise liner, weighting approximately 10,900 tons and around 142.60 meters long, called in at Moji Port for the second time since last year. The passengers were greeted by employees of the city and other supporters and volunteers, along with SunaQ and Jimo - the mascot characters of the Port of Kitakyushu and Moji ward. While the majority of passengers went on a pre-arranged excursion in the morning, visiting the Mekari Shrine and Karato Market; others spent time at Retro Komachi - a kimono rental station that was specially set up in the quay area. The passengers had a wonderful time taking pictures of themselves in the traditional Japanese attire; some even going for a stroll around the ward in their hakama - creating their Kodak moments. The passengers were presented with locally produced konpeitō - traditional Japanese sweets, as souvenirs as they re-boarded the vessel. As Le Soleal was preparing to depart at around 3 pm, children from a local kindergarten performed taiko drums for the leaving passengers. The performance was a hit, with all the passengers out of the ship’s deck to watch and cheer on the children. As the vessel undocked form the port, it was quite a scene seeing the passengers should out a hearty “sayonara!” in response to the children’s well-versed farewells in English, leading to an endless chain of good-byes in their respective languages for a good few minutes. Suffice to say, the call-in of Le Soleal was a success. Using this as an impetus, the Port of Kitakyushu plans to actively carry on its activities in order to welcome more cruise ships from around the world.

Le Soleal with SunaQ - the Mascot Character of the Port of Kitakyushu

Hi all! My name is Vincent Schmitt. I am French and I have been living in Kitakyushu for seven years now.

My spouse Yoko Motohama is Japanese and that is why we came here initially to set up a French wine import business, namely Vins Fins Motohama. Before settling in Japan we lived in England, where I was a lecturer researching and teaching mathematics at the University of Leicester for about ten years. Yoko did research in computer science. Our main activity is to select wines in France by visiting producers to import, store and sell them in Japan. Every year I

go back to France for a couple of months to visit wine producers. As you may imagine (or not?), wine tasting is the hard part of the job! So far we have worked mainly with Burgundy, and a little with Beaujolais and Bordeaux. From time to time we take Japanese people to France with us to visit vineyards and wine makers as well as historical monuments and other nice places to visit in the area. We are involved in other activities in Kitakyushu as well, organizing events, courses and conferences related to wine, gastronomy, and also European culture and history (but nothing about mathematics yet!). For our wine events we have had the chance to visit many great places in different areas of Kitakyushu and it has been a real pleasure. Let me mention that I enjoy Japanese food very much - fish and veggies are fantastic in Kyushu. Being experts in France and wine, we also give numerous courses to our lovely students. And naturally, we have been helping people with their businesses with international partners. So far, life has been quite pleasant in Kitakyushu and there are many things to do and enjoy here!

Letter from KitakyushuLetter from Kitakyushu

Published by: International Policy Division, CITY OF KITAKYUSHU1-1 Jonai, Kokurakita-ku Kitakyushu 803-8501 JAPANPHONE:+81-93-582-2146 FAX:+81-93-582-2176URL. http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/pcp_portal/(in English, Chinese, Korean)

Edited by: Seoyoon Sarah OhE-mail: seoyoon_sarah_oh01@mail2.city.kitakyushu.jp

Jason FernandesE-mail: cir@kitaq-koryu.jpNo.1606004BPublished 2016/7/29

Newly Updated!

Kitakyushu in a FLASH!Kitakyushu in a FLASH!Kitakyushu in a FLASH!Designated as Japan’s Environmental Model City

POPULATION (as of March 2016)

・One million ・13th largest city in Japan・Registered Foreigners: ~11,462

SISTER/FRIENDSHIP CITIES(as of July 2016)

・Tacoma, Washington. U.S.A.・Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A.・Dalian, China・Incheon, Korea・Haiphong, Vietnam・Phnom Penh, Cambodia

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROJECTS(as of January 2016)

・Waterworks:Haiphong (Vietnam), Dalian(China), and Cambodia

・Environmental clean-up:Surabaya (Indonesia)

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS(as of January 2016)

・Green Growth Model CityDesignated by OECD in 2011

・Environmental Model CityDesignated by National

Government in 2008・Earth Summit 2002

Sustainable Development Award・UNCED Local Government

Governmental Honors・UN Global 500 Award for

Environmental Cleanup

INTERNATIONAL TRADE(as of 2014)

・Export: Approx. one trillion yen・Major exports: steel materials,

machines, shipping containers,electrical equipment, rubberproducts such as tires and tubes.

・Major imports: coal, natural & manufactured gas, electricalequipment, steel materials,machines.

・Major trade partners: China, Indonesia, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, the U.S.A., and Thailand

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (as of May 2016)

・Total Universities: 13(Not including vocational schools)

・Total University Students: ~22,000・Total Int’l Students: ~2,206

Please feel free to e-mail if you would like to receive an online PDF link (or switch from paper to data or vice versa). ★ Previous editions of the KITAKYUSHU BRIDGES in PDF can be viewed from the following link ★ http://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/english/e20100007.html

Vladivostok

IncheonBusan

Ulsan

Shimonoseki

Tokyo

OkinawaShanghai

Qingdao

Vladivostok

IncheonBusan

Ulsan

Shimonoseki

Tokyo

NagoyaNagoya

Fukuoka

OkinawaShanghai

QingdaoYantai

DalianBeijing

Tianjin

QingdaoYantai

DalianBeijing

Tianjin

From Dalian 1 hour 50 minutesDalian International Airport > Fukuoka Airport

From Incheon 1 hour 30 minutesIncheon International Airport > Fukuoka Airport

From Shanghai 1 hour 30 minutesShanghai International Airport > Fukuoka Airport

Kitakyushu Airport

Kitakyushu

Access to KitakyushuAccess to KitakyushuAccess to Kitakyushu

From TokyoAir: 1hr. 30min.Haneda Airport--Kitakyushu AirportShinkansen Bullet Train: 4hr. 32min.JR Tokyo Sta.--JR Kokura Sta.

From FukuokaExpressway Bus: 1hr. 19min.Fukuoka Airport--JR Kokura Sta.Shinkansen Bullet Train: 17min.JR Hakata Sta.--JR Kokura Sta.

Kitakyushu AirportCurrent Participating Airlines

★STARFLYER / All Nippon Airways

(Kitakyushu - Tokyo)★JAPAN AIRLINES

(Kitakyushu - Tokyo)★FUJI DREAM AIRLINES / JAPAN AIRLINES

(Kitakyushu - Nagoya)

Kitakyushu Airport (KKJ) opened on March 16th, 2006 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Companies collaborating with the airport for the development are also having their anniversary celebration. In an ideal location equidistant from Tokyo and Shanghai, and connecting Honshu and Kyushu, Kitakyushu Airport plays an important role as a gateway to Asian countries, the eastern parts of Japan, and the island of Kyushu itself. You can expect a lot more from KKJ!

Enhance Your Trip!Kitakyushu Airport is an offshore airport located on an artificial island in Suonada Sea Thanks to its advantageous location it is able to run a 24-hour operation. With flights available in the early morning as well as late at night passengers have a great deal of flexibility in choosing their schedules. Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) started its service between Kitakyushu and Nagoya last year, offering travelers a ticket to get to the Tokai region in no time.

A Transport Hub!Kitakyushu Airport also serves as a 24/7 transport hub which connects Kyushu with other parts of Japan. Its excellent transportation network enables expedited travel, saving much time and energy. Kitakyushu is a nodal point for the Kyushu Expressway, Higashi-Kyushu Expressway, and Chugoku Expressway, as wel l as the Por t o f Kitakyushu, and the Kanda Harbor. Furthermore, full opening of the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway has greatly improved the access to domestic markets.

Easy Access!The airport bus to the center of Kitakyushu and limousine bus services to Fukuoka City operating in accordance with flight schedules for the convenience of passengers - this is particularly good news for late-night and early-morning travelers. In addition, a taxi-share service is available in the early morning and during late-night hours within central Kitakyushu and the suburbs. There are also plenty of large parking lots with a total capacity of 1,800 vehicles in front of the terminal building (standard-sized vehicle: 520 yen / 24 hours).Kitakyushu Airport on the man-made island in Suonada Sea

Happy 10th Anniversary,Kitakyushu Airport!